Because this plant is extremely toxic, while other close relatives are considered edible, correct identification is critical for anyone wishing to eat "wild edibles." Water hemlock has doubly-compound leaves and the leaflets are large and rarely lobed. The veins that extend laterally from the leaflet midveins end mostly in the sinuses between the teeth (and not at the points of the teeth). If you are inexperienced with plant identification, it is best to consider all wild members of the carrot family as potentially fatally toxic.

Size:

Height: to 6 feet.

Habitat and conservation:

Occurs in any wet situation in bottomlands: sloughs, banks of streams, rivers and spring branches, margins of ponds and lakes, bottomland prairies, moist depressions of upland prairies, openings of bottomland forests; also roadsides, railroads, and ditches. This is perhaps the most poisonous of all North American plants, and it is widespread and common. All parts are toxic. Cattle are often the victims.

Distribution in Missouri:

Statewide.

Human connections:

All parts of this plant are toxic if eaten. The most toxic parts are the tuberous roots, swollen lower stems, and new growth. When livestock consume even a little of the plant, either fresh or as a contaminant in hay, they can die within 15 minutes. Poisoned people can suffer similarly.

Ecosystem connections:

Several insects visit the flowers for nectar. Because it is so toxic, few animals eat this plant. Ingesting just a small amount can kill a cow. The caterpillars of black swallowtail butterflies eat the leaves, however, and transfer the toxicity to their own bodies; predators learn not to eat them.

False dragonhead is a member of the mint family that grows 3-4 feet tall and forms dense spikes of pink or lavender snapdragon-like flowers. When you push one of the flowers sideways, it "obediently" stays in place for a while.

One of eleven water primrose species in Missouri, false loosestrife is distinguished by its cubical fruits that open at a pore in the tip. Look for it in wet places like the edges of ponds, ditches, and along rivers and streams.

The dense, cylindrical flower clusters of field milkwort are pink to white and, at first glance, look something like a clover head. This small annual wildflower is common in prairies, old fields, meadows, and glades.

With widespread sprays of small white flowers, flowering spurge looks a lot like the "baby's breath" so popular with florists. Each little "flower" has 5 white "false petals" surrounding a cup of tiny yellow male flowers and a single female flower.

Regs and Areas

Shortened URL

Permalink for this page:
http://mdc.mo.gov/node/17538

Serving Nature and You

MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources. We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature. Read more about our mission.